This isn't a black and white debate though, Raggy. Pubs can cater for lots of different tastes. So music on one night, no music on others doesn't 'kill' the art of conversation at all, but rather gives both audiences what they want.

I sometimes like to sit in a pub with no music and play music at other times so the audiences often contain the same membership. It's the blanket 'all or nothing' view which makes these disputes so difficult to resolve.

As a nation we seem to line up on opposite sides so often, rather than being able to hold a range of views according the situation.